cam_hparker_2311_f001_007.2

ticipated hearing as so long a time had passed
that I had not heard one word from any of you
that I feared that when I did hear again that I
should hear that some of you were sick or that
something unusual had taken place, but thank Heaven
I was happily disappointed & while reading your let-
ters I felt happy, hardly realising [realizing] that I was so far
separated from my dear friends & situated in a distant
land among strangers -- but so it is but I hope that I
may yet live to meet you all once more & to be a
blessing to you in your declining years thereby partly
atoning for the ill manner in which I have treated
you in times past of which I have already bitterly
repented. I still continue to enjoy good health & was
never so fleshy as I am at the present time. I have
been to work the past two weeks for Wm. Shipley Painting,
Paper Hanging &c & I think I shall continue to work for
him for the present at least until I see a chance to do
better. I wrote you in my last that we, (Fisk & myself)
had sold out & that I did not think he hardly returned
my kindness, as he landed here with but 8.$ in the
world & I paid his board & washing bills, travelling Expenses
&c to the amount of $100. before we went into business
& I afterwards advanced $174. more for him & took
his note for the whole amount $274. which he now owes
me & perhaps always will Still, I think if there is
anything about him characteristic of a man that he
will eventually pay me every dollar. So I wrote you (I
believe) before after we had been in business a short